Photographer's Note

Enter the dragon...

2012, the year of the dragon

Today is Chinese new year, which this year has seen probably the biggest movement of people on this planet EVER, since millions of people return from the cities where they live and work to their hometown villages, up the country to where they grew up, to where their (grand)parents probably still live.

And it being the Year of the Dragon makes this particular new year an even bigger occasion.

I wish everyone lots of happiness and joy in this new year.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR ROOTS!

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This picture was taken in the countryside near Xidi in southern Anhui.
A simple scene. A farmer returning from her work in the fields.

Very nice pic in the country scenary so full of green.I like the perspective whit the long raod to back at home,fantastic light balance for the best colors anf great sharpness too.Have a nice week and thanks,Luciano

Hi Benny,
It is like she is striding into the New Year. Cool how she has her tool slung over her shoulder and the bright green really stands out. The path leads us nicely into the landscape.
Regards
Wanda

Hello Benny you have caught a very spontaneous and fresh scene outside , with the woman , looking at a side, with person in side scene a very special atmosphere.A good quality of image, a great sharpness and a few managed well colors, they make a very interesting composition.

A great sunny shot in juicy colors to mark the beginning of a new lunar year! Judging by the subject of your picture I guess we'll all have to work hard during the year of the Dragon. Hope it pays off:)))
Best wishes to you and your family,

And Happy Chinese Year to you too, may the Dragon bring you extra special luck this year. What a great message you send, one just as important as the photo. Family and your origins are so very important, especially with society becoming more and more homogenous (I call it "whitebread") where anything exotic, different or foreign is quickly ironed out...or knocked out of you.

I think of my own childhood growing up in Australia in the 1970s as a first generation Italian-Aussie. We were called "wogs" or "dagoes". People laughed at our food, our customs and the language. We tried to look and act Australian, so much so that my brother and sister do not even speak Italian, a huge embarassment when we travel to our family in Italy. And yet today it's laughable to see Australians lining up at Italian restaurants, cafes, bakeries and cake shops, ordering panini, caffe latte and pasta being served at every table in the country. We're still wogs, but we're acceptable now. Sadly they pick on the Asians instead.

Anyway, enough of my ranting, your photo is superbly composed. I like that the lady's back is turned, as she becomes more of a symbol of what has happened in these fields over the centuries, rather than a mere personality. Wonderful control of the strong light, vivid colours and superb contrasts.

Sorry for my late reaction as very busy weekday.
Another nice shot! You describe vey good daily life
and atmosphre by perfect framework. Sharpness and clear color are also remarkable. Thanks for your sharinig with finest work and have a good week end!
Best regrads,

hello Benny
this is a superbe picture of the chinese countryside,where I like everything, the small path leading the eye very far, until the mountains at the horizon,the intense green of the ricefields,and the farmer with his hat and his tool and the shoulder.And I could say like you, this why I have so much liked to travel in China.
Regards
Pascale

Happy Year of the dragon from Hong Kong ! It's a very nice photo, I like the posture of that woman, nice POV and punchy colours, I tend to forget how great is the D40 and should take it out more often, nice job !